ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Extradition of Economic Offenders
There are 28 individuals who are accused in criminal cases being investigated by ED and who are either residing abroad or who have left the country before initiation of investigations by ED. Since these cases are at various stages of investigations by ED, it will not be in larger public interest to disclose names of such persons, amount involved and status of investigation as the same may adversely affect these investigations.
Necessary action has been initiated for bringing these persons back to India. In this regard, Red Corner Notice  have been issued against 25 persons; Extradition requests have been issued for 14 persons; action under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018  have been initiated against 07 persons and 03 persons accused under PMLA have been brought back to India.
There are adequate legal and administrative measures in place to tackle economic offenders who have either fled from the country or are likely to flee during the course of investigations. Whenever there is apprehension that the accused person may leave the country during the pendency of PMLA investigation, Look Out Circular  is issued by the Directorate of Enforcement. In case any of the accused person against whom LoC is issued tries to leave the country the Immigration Authority informs the Directorate and such person is apprehended. Further, some of the accused persons may already be residing abroad or may have left India before the commencement of the investigation under PMLA. In such cases action is taken by issuance of RCN and Extradition Request. Action under the newly enacted FEOA, 2018 is also initiated in suitable cases against economic offenders who have left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution or who, being abroad, refuse to return to India to face criminal prosecution and the total amount involved in the economic offence is more than Rs. 100 crore.
This was stated by the Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharamanin a written reply to a Parliament Question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh appeals to youth to gain knowledge of country’s military history
Addressing the 4th Military Literature Festival through virtual link in New Delhi today, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh said such innovative initiatives provide an opportunity for the people in general and youth in particular to gain knowledge about the wars fought by our Armed Forces and get inspired from the experiences of the veterans as also imbibe their patriotic fervour. Emphasizing on the importance of military history, Shri Rajnath Singh said soon after taking over the charge of the Ministry of Defence, he constituted a committee to progress the work of writing border history of the country. Its aim is to benefit future generations by bringing out border history focusing on the battles fought there, sacrifices made by the soldiers in a lucid language that is eminently readable and easily understood by general public.
Shri Rajnath Singh said several Armed forces veterans and researchers publish periodicals and journals from time to time with a focus to narrow the knowledge gap between the people and experts.
Raksha Mantri said that this year’s military literature festival coincides with the Swarnim Vijay Diwas Celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of 1971 war during which the valor displayed by our brave soldiers stands as a fine example even today. He appealed to the youth not to miss out on any opportunity to interact with veterans and gain firsthand knowledge from their experiences. Shri Rajnath Singh appreciated holding of various events and discussions during this literature festival that were not only limited to the military subjects but also covering the cultural aspects of our Nation. He said nature of war is changing with times, and with evolving technologies. “We need to be alert about the new security challenges posed by the modern technology”, He added. Shri Rajnath Singh appealed to the organisers to hold theme based events in future and conveyed his best wishes for the success of the Military Literature Festival.
Governor of Punjab Shri Vijayendra Pal Singh Badnore and Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh also addressed the event.
ABB/Nampi/Rajib
(Visitor Counter : 617
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 458
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 186.70 Crore
More than 15 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
More than 2.46 Crore Vaccine Doses administered to 12-14 age group so far
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 186.70 Crore  today. More than 15 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. More than 2.46 Crore  vaccine doses have been administered to 12-14 years age group so far. More than 2.55 Crore  Precaution Doses for the identified categories of beneficiaries  for COVID vaccination have been administered so far. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10404414
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10008949
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4614047
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18414410
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17526973
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7172160
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
24664959
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
447330
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
57924471
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
40582789
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
555300715
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
473218279
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
41394
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202857011
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
186899487
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
142920
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126818485
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
116419584
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13578013
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
996384465
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
845103391
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
25548534
|
|
Total
|
|
1867036390
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
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|
Date: 18th April, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
48
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
602
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13408
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
77
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
904
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
29363
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
303983
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
275356
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
36216
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
115787
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
36036
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
385918
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4179
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
4898
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
78377
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
17401
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3769
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
50074
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
156307
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
385027
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
907018
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
220658
|
|
Total
|
|
1512703
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
Prime Minister's Office
With less than 75 days to go, PM urges citizens to mark International Yoga Day 2023 with great enthusiasm
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has urged citizens to mark International Yoga Day 2023 with great enthusiasm.
Sharing a tweet by Union Minister for AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“With less than 75 days to go for International Yoga Day 2023, I would urge you all to mark it with great enthusiasm and also practice Yoga regularly.”
President's Secretariat
President of India to Visit Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan From July 13 To 15
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu will visit Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from July 13 to 15, 2023.
On July 13, 2023, the President will grace the 4th convocation of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
On July 14, 2023, the President will address the members of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly at Jaipur. On the same evening, she will also address a seminar organized by Rajasthan Legislative Assembly under the auspices of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association  at Jaipur.
There are some remarks made by various column writers on GST rate on sanitary napkins. It may be mentioned that the tax incidence on this item before and after GST is the same or less.
Sanitary napkins are classifiable under heading 9619. In pre-GST, they attracted concessional excise duty of 6% and 5% VAT and, the pre-GST estimated total tax incidence on sanitary napkins was 13.68%. Therefore, 12% GST rate had been provided for sanitary napkin.
Major raw materials for manufacture of sanitary napkins and applicable GST rates on them are as under:
a) 18% GST rate
o Super Absorbent Polymer
o Poly Ethylene Film
o Glue
o LLDPE– Packing Cover
b) 12% GST rate
o Thermo Bonded Non-woven
o Release Paper
o Wood Pulp
As raw materials for manufacture of sanitary napkins attract GST of 18% of 12%, even with 12% GST on sanitary napkins, there in an inversion in the GST structure. Though, within the existing GST law such accumulated ITC will be refunded, it will have associated financial costs [interest burden] and administrative cost, putting them at a dis-advantage vis-à-vis imports, which will also attract 12% IGST on their imports, with no additional financial costs on account of fund blockage and associated administrative cost of refunds.
If the GST rate on sanitary napkins were to be reduced from 12% to 5%, it will further accentuate the tax inversion and result in even higher accumulated ITC, with correspondingly higher finical costs on account of fund blockage and associated administrative cost of refunds, putting domestic manufacturers at even greater dis-advantage vis-à-vis imports.
Reducing the GST rate on sanitary napkins to Nil, will however, result in complete denial of ITC to domestic manufacturers of sanitary napkins and zero rating imports. This will make domestically manufactured sanitary napkins at a huge dis-advantage vis-à-vis imports, which will be zero rated.
Prime Minister's Office
PM invites participation in Mann ki Baat quiz
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has asked for participation in Mann ki Baat Quiz regarding topics covered in the latest episode, including several community efforts.
The Prime Minister tweeted:
“We covered diverse topics during this month’s #MannKiBaat including several community efforts. Do take part in the MKB Quiz on the NaMo App.”
Prime Minister's Office
PM invites participation for ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2022'
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has tweeted about ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2022’ and has asked for the registration. He said that it gives him an opportunity to connect with our dynamic youth, understand their challenges and aspirations better.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"Exams are approaching and so is ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha 2022.’ Let’s talk stress-free exams and once again support our brave #ExamWarriors, their parents and teachers. I urge you all to register for this year’s #PPC2022.
Personally, ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ is a fantastic learning experience. I get the opportunity to connect with our dynamic youth, understand their challenges and aspirations better. It also gives the opportunity to discover the emerging trends in the world of education. #PPC2022"
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Switzerland on Technical Cooperation in the field of Climate Change and Environment
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Switzerland on Technical Cooperation in the field of Climate Change and Environment. The MoU was signed in Switzerland on 13th September, 2019.
Major impact:
Environmental degradation falls on the socially and economically disadvantaged, more heavily than the better of sections of the society. Any effort at thwarting environmental degradation would lead to environmental equity in the sense of availability of sound environmental resources to all sections of the society.
Benefits:
The MoU will enable establishment and promotion of closer and long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of environmental protection and management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits, taking into account the applicable laws and legal provisions in each country. It will enhance public accountability by way of exchange of information and technology between the two countries. Further, It is expected to bring in the latest technologies and best practices suited for bringing about better environment protection, better conservation, better management of climate change and wildlife protection/conservation.
Salient features:
- Capacity-building on Climate Change and Sustainable Water management;
- Sustainable Forest Management;
- Sustainable development of mountainous regions;
- Environmentally sustainable and resilient urban development;
- Addressing issues of Air, land and water pollution;
- Focussing on Clean and Renewable Energy; and
- Climate change risk management.
Prime Minister's Office
PM recalls Swami Vivekananda's Chicago speech delivered on this day 130 years ago
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has remarked that Swami Vivekananda's speech which was delivered on this day 130 years ago at the World’s Parliament of Religion in Chicago resonates even today as a clarion call for global unity and harmony.
The Prime Minister posted on X:
“Swami Vivekananda's Chicago speech, delivered on this day 130 years ago, resonates even today as a clarion call for global unity and harmony. His timeless message, emphasising the universal brotherhood of humanity, remains a guiding light for us.”
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes, as was done in previous seasons.
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Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 has now crossed 2 Crore MT mark with bumper procurement of 204.59 LMT Paddy in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu& Kashmir, Kerala and Gujarat upto 31.10.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 168.87 LMT showing an increase of 21.16% over last year. Out of the total purchase of 204.59 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 142.81 LMT which is 69.80 % of total procurement.
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About 17.23 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP
About 17.23 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 38627.46 crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto 31.10.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 10293.61 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs. 57.78 Crores benefitting 6102 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
|Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. Till 31.10.2020 a quantity of 633719 cotton bales valuing Rs.184563 lakh has been procured benefitting 120437 farmers.
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Ministry of Finance
Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2018-19  issued; Issue Price of the Bond during this subscription period shall be Rs.3,326 per gram with Settlement date February 12, 2019
In terms of the Government of India Notification No. F.No.4-W&M/2018 and Press Release dated October 08, 2018, Sovereign Gold Bonds 2018-19  will be opened for the period from 4th February to 8th February, 2019. The Issue Price of the Bond during this subscription period shall be Rs.3,326  – per gram with Settlement date February 12, 2019, as also published by RBI in their Press Release dated February 01, 2019.
The Government of India in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India has decided to allow discount of Rs.50  per gram from the issue price to those investors who apply online and the payment is made through digital mode. For such investors, the issue price of Gold Bond will be Rs.3,276  per gram of gold.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Hydrophobic ingredients, in combination with obsolete antibiotics, can counter multidrug-resistant bacteria
A new ingredient that can weakly perturb bacterial membrane, thus countering bacterial resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics, can help revive the efficacy of obsolete antibiotics.
This strategy can combat the most critical group of bacteria enabling the existing antibiotic arsenal to be used again for complicated infections. It can help counter the rising menace of anti-microbial resistance.
The World Health Organization has demarcated Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae, all of which are resistant to carbapenems as the topmost priority critical pathogens. There are a few treatment options for these bacteria triggering use of combinations of various antibiotics to treat such complicated infections. It was thus pertinent to develop novel non-conventional therapeutic strategies to deal with these pathogens.
Scientists at JNCASR, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have come up with the approach of revitalising the efficacy of existing antibiotics by using them in combination with antibiotic adjuvants -- ingredients that can help counter resistance to existing antibiotics. This novel idea can help strengthen the activity of obsolete antibiotics and bring them back into use for treating complicated infections.
Ms. Geetika Dhanda and Prof. Jayanta Haldar incorporated cyclic hydrophobic moieties  in a triamine-containing compound the adjuvants thus developed weakly perturbed the membrane of bacteria. This resulted in countering of membrane-associated resistance elements like permeability barrier and expulsion of antibiotics by efflux pumps. When these adjuvants are used in combination with antibiotics that had been rendered ineffective due to such membrane-associated resistance elements, the antibiotics are potentiated, and the combination was effective in killing bacteria.
The combination of the adjuvant with antibiotics like fusidic acid, minocycline, and rifampicin inactivates multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. These include Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae. The study published in the journal ACS Infect. Diseases, highlight the chemical intuition and extent of membrane-perturbation required for the design of non-active and non-toxic adjuvants. The choice of non-active adjuvant would also put less pressure on the bacteria to develop resistance to it. Moreover, weak membrane perturbation would result in less toxicity.
This work requires proper validation in in-vivo model systems, followed by preclinical studies, which will further add value to the work.
Link to publication: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00092
For more details, please contact Geetika Dhanda, Jayanta Haldar; Email ID: jayanta@jncasr.ac.in, geetika@jncasr.ac.in
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SNC/RR
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notifies rules for facilitating MOUs with neighbouring countries on movement of passenger and goods vehicles
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had been receiving requests from various quarters to notify rules under provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to facilitate movement of vehicles carrying goods and passengers between India and neighbouring countries . The Ministry had earlier notified rules for the facilitation of bus services between Amritsar and Lahore, New Delhi and Lahore , Calcutta and Dhaka ,and Amritsar and Nankana Sahib . These regulations were issued to facilitate operations under MOUs, which were signed between India and neighbouring countries.
In order to facilitate the operation of all MOUs, involving movement of goods and passengers between India and neighbouring countries, it has been decided to issue standard rules for the facilitation of such movements. A notification dated 15th January 2021 has been published in this regard and is placed on the Ministry’s website.
Ministry of Mines
Mineral Production Records 6.1 per cent
Cumulative Growth During April- July, 2022-23
The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of July, 2022  at 101.1, was 3.3% lower as compared to the level in the month of July, 2021. As per the provisional statistics of Indian Bureau of Mines , the cumulative growth for the period April- July, 2022-23 over the corresponding period of previous year has increased 6.1 per cent.
Production level of important minerals in July, 2022 were: Coal 603 lakh tonnes, Lignite 33 lakh tonnes, Natural gas  2811 million cu. m., Petroleum  25 lakh tonnes, Bauxite 1526 thousand tonnes, Chromite 192 thousand tonnes, Copper conc. 9 thousand tonnes , Gold 93 kg, Iron ore 155 lakh tonnes, Lead conc. 29 thousand tonnes, Manganese ore 153 thousand tonnes, Zinc conc. 127 thousand tonnes, Limestone 306 lakh tonnes, Phosphorite 160 thousand tonnes, Magnesite 10 thousand tonnes, and Diamond 22 carat.
Important minerals showing positive growth during July, 2022 over July, 2021 include: Phosphorite , Coal , Copper conc , and Zinc conc . Other important minerals showing negative growth include: Iron Ore , Manganese ore , Lignite , Gold , Magnesite , Chromite , Limestone , Lead conc , Petroleum  , Bauxite , and Natural Gas  .
AKN/RKP
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
Payroll Reporting in India – A Formal Employment Perspective
The National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has released the press note on Employment Outlook of the country covering the period September, 2017 to August, 2021 based on the administrative records available with selected government agencies to assess the progress in certain dimensions.A detailed note is annexed.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on Makar Sankranti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranti.
"देशवासियों को मकर संक्रांति की बहुत-बहुत बधाई। मेरी कामना है कि उत्तरायण सूर्यदेव सभी के जीवन में नई ऊर्जा और नए उत्साह का संचार करें।
Makar Sankranti greetings to everyone.
Makar Sankranti is marked with enthusiasm in several parts of India. This auspicious festival illustrates India’s diversity and the vibrancy of our traditions. It also reaffirms the importance of respecting Mother Nature", the Prime Minister said.